Wilson, Urban, Nichols Vying for Next No. 1

Jo Dee Messina’s “My Give a Damn’s Busted” remains No. 1 on Billboard‘s country singles chart for the second week despite a decrease in spins at radio. That opens the door for a new No. 1 next week, and there’s no shortage of contenders. In fact, the six artists immediately behind Messina are seeing an increase in airplay.

Gretchen Wilson is closest as “Homewrecker” stays at No. 2 for the second week. However, Keith Urban has momentum on his side, jumping six spots to No. 3, with “Making Memories of Us.” Persistent singles from Joe Nichols’ “What’s a Guy Gotta Do” (No. 4) and Andy Griggs’ “If Heaven” (No. 5) have been on the chart for more than six months, slightly longer than Trace Adkins’ “Songs About Me” (No. 6). But don’t discount Dierks Bentley, whose “Lot of Leavin’ Left to Do” enters the Top 10 this week, at No. 7. His second album, Modern Day Drifter, will debut on the albums chart next week.

Three previous No. 1 songs round out the Top 10: Craig Morgan’s “That’s What I Love About Sunday” at No. 8, Kenny Chesney’s “Anything but Mine” at No. 9 and Brooks & Dunn’s “It’s Getting Better All the Time” at No. 10.

Toby Keith earns the week’s highest debut, with “As Good As I Once Was” arriving at No. 37. Other new singles include Shania Twain’s “I Ain’t No Quitter” at No. 55, Montgomery Gentry’s “Something to Be Proud Of” at No. 56 and Morgan’s “Redneck Yacht Club” at No. 57.

Even with a drop in sales, Messina’s Delicious Surprise keeps the No. 1 position on the country albums chart, trailed by Rascal Flatts’ Feels Like Today at No. 2 and Urban’s Be Here at No. 3 — both with significant sales increases. The latest albums from Larry the Cable Guy, Wilson, Sugarland and Tim McGraw land at No. 4 through No. 7, while Chesney docks at No. 8 with Be As You Are: Songs From an Old Blue Chair and No. 10 with When the Sun Goes Down. Twain’s Greatest Hits re-enters the Top 10, landing at No. 9.

Three new artists appear on the country albums chart for the first time this week. At No. 13, Keith Anderson’s Three Chord Country and American Rock & Roll features the first single, “Pickin’ Wildflowers.” “Tiny Town” singer Shelly Fairchild parks at No. 31 with Ride. The Wrights, the new duo on Alan Jackson’s record label, introduce themselves at No. 71 with Down This Road. In addition, Billy Gilman’s Everything and More hits the middle of the chart at No. 39.